Epilepsy Talk
Conditions Commonly Misdiagnosed as Epilepsy…
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A moment of unresponsiveness — the inability to recall what just happened…convulsions or jerking movements…sudden stiffness of the body.
These are classic symptoms of an epilepsy seizure — triggered by abnormal electrical impulses in the brain.
And while these symptoms may indicate epilepsy, other brain abnormalities or injuries could also lead to seizures.
Having a seizure doesn’t automatically mean you have epilepsy. And without testing, the diagnosis – or misdiagnosis – can be pretty scary.
There are loads of conditions that have symptoms similar to epilepsy. Here are the most common…
Tags: auras, brain, disorders, misdiagnosed epilepsy, neurological, seizures
Epilepsy Differences Between Men and Women?
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Men and women have long suspected that our brains are wired a bit differently. Now science is starting to back up this notion.
A new study finds that men have more synapses connecting the cells in a particular part of the brain than women do.
In short, each sex excels at different types of cognitive functions.
Tags: biological differences, brain, hormonal challenges, men, stressors, triggers, women
New Hope for Drug Resistant Epilepsy
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Drug-resistant epilepsy with uncontrolled severe seizures — despite state-of-the-art medical treatment — continues to be a major problem for up to 30% of patients with epilepsy. Although drug resistance may fluctuate in the course of treatment, for most patients, drug resistance seems to be continuous.
Tags: brain, chemical, connections, drug, electrical, faulty, lesions, resistance, structural, wiring
Children’s Brain Surgery…Preparing YOUR Child…
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There is no “welcome” sign to the world of childhood brain surgery. And the resulting combination of fear, shock, and pain is almost too much to bear.
No amount of preparation or knowledge can help to ease or minimize the situation.
But preparing a child for surgery emotionally, is one of the most important things you can do. Surgery, without proper explanations and preparation, can traumatize a child…
Tags: books, brain, children, doctors', emotions, explanations, fear, hospitals, knowledge, nurses, preparation, reassurances, surgery
Concussions: Helping Your Brain Heal
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It’s a conundrum. Some people get epilepsy / seizures from concussion-related accidents. And many people with epilepsy have concussions as a result of their condition.
Although I didn’t “get” my epilepsy from a fall or a concussion, I’ve certainly had my fair share of them. In fact, recently, I had a real doozy. And I’m sure you’re no stranger to concussions either.
Usually the doc’s attitude is “wait and see.” (Easy for them to say!)
But recently, I read about some wonderful research in Bottom Line’s Daily Health News (a terrific daily newsletter that I both wrote for and receive daily.)
Tags: antioxidants, brain, concussions, Epilepsy, fish oil, healing, protein, stimulus deprivation, water
Vagus Nerve Stimulation…Is it for YOU?
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Having a Vagus Nerve Stimulator implanted can be a tough decision. Is it right for you? Will it work? What are the side effects and consequences?
I did some research and got the low-down on what it is, how it works and some interesting statistics. (If you are already acquainted with the VNS and are on the fence, you might want to just skip down to risks and benefits sections.)
Tags: brain, depression, electrical pulses, improvement, memory, mood swings, refractory, setting, signals, vagus nerve stimulator
Epilepsy and Celiac Disease
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Celiac disease is closely related to various neurological disorders, with a higher incidence of epilepsy. And in one study, epilepsy was observed in 5.5% of all cases of celiac disease.
Basically, celiac disease is a matter of poor absorption and can cause wide ranging nutritional deficiency. All body systems — including the brain and nervous system — can ultimately be affected from this disease through either a direct immunological attack/response to gluten (found in wheat, barley, rye and oats) or through vitamin deficiencies associated with malabsorption.
Seizures seen in association with celiac disease are frequently difficult to control and, at least in some cases, this is due to poor AEDs absorption. Epilepsy occurs twenty times more often in persons with celiac disease than those in the general population. Calcium deposits form in the brain because of a deficiency of folic acid.
Tags: brain, celiac disease, Epilepsy, Folic Acid, gluten, malabsorption, nervous system, nutritional deficiency
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